Indicating device for paper-cutting machines



F. 0. soon, INDICATING DEVICE FOR PAPER CUTTING MACHINES.

. APPLICATION FILED AUG-'6, I920. 1,402,543.

Patented Jan. 3, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

F. 0 SCOTT.

INDICATING DEVICE FOR PAPER CUTTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION, FILED AUG-6, 1920.

1,402,543. j Patgnted Jan. 3,1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- a. 0. SCOTT. 1 INDICATING DEVICEQFOR PAPER CUTTING MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED AUG-6, 1929.

1,402,543, Pat nted Jan- 3,1922,

-3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK D."SCOTT, OF MIT'IINEAG'UE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO SOUTHWORTH COMPANY, OF MITTINEAGUE, MASSACHUSETTS, A COlEtIEORATIOlYf OF MASSA- CHUSETTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 3; 1922.

. Application filed August 6,1920. Serial Ito-401,701.

To aZZ whom it may concern 'Be it known that l, FRANK 0. Soon, a

citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of Mittineague, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Indicating Devices for Paper-Cutting Machines, of which the following is aspeciii cation.

This invention relates to improvements in indicating devices for paper cutting ma chines, and more particularly to a. device for indicating or determining the position of certain visible markings, such as watermarks, recurring at intervals in the continuous web of paper, whereby the cutting operation may be regulated to insure the locating of such marks at a predetermined point in the separate sheets cut from the web.

sheets of the required size it is desirable that the water-mark be disposed uniformly with respect to the margins thereof, as for instance, at the center of each sheet, this being particularly desirable in the better grades of paper to be used for letter-heads and correspondence stationery. To accomplish this end the maintenancev of a uniform relation between the feeding of the web of paper and the action of the cutter element 18 essential in order that the cutting will take place at. predetermined intervals with respect to the location of the recurring marks in said web. In practice, however, it has been found difiicult to accurately synchronize the feeding and cutting operations in the ordinary cutting machine, so that the desired relationship will be constantly maintained. In the usual type of paper cutting machine the paper is fed at a uniform rate of speed, and the speed of the cutter element regulated to cut at intervals determined by the sizeof sheet desired, the latter being driven through the medium of speed regulating devices under the control of the operator, which may also be used for rectifying any slight irregularities in the. feeding or cutting of the paper. In spite of the efforts "of the operator, reat difiiculty has been experienced in controlling the cutting operation, soas to overcome a common tendency for'the paperto creep, that 18 to say, to feed irregularly so theta designated point in one In the operation of cutting paper into sheet, as for instance a water mark, will occur at a slightlyadvanced position in the succeeding sheet, and so on, gradually approaching the edge of the sheet until the line of cutting passes through the mark, and

parts thereof occurring on two separate sheets. It is possible, however, to overcome the tendency just recited by manipulation of the speed regulating mechanism, provid ing some means is employed to guide the operator in making the required adjustment, that is, an indicator which will accurately locate the proper position where the mark should reoccur in the web, this enabling the operator to determine exactly the nature and degree of adjustment. required from time to time, in order to insure the predetermined location of the watermark in each sheet.

The purpose of the present invention, therefore, to provide a inovel construction for an indicating n'iechanism. designed to fulfil the functions above outlined, and a preferred embodiment of the device as applied to a cutting machine of otherwise standard manufacture is hereinafter described in detail and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of the main part of a cutting machine with the 1ndicating device applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in endelevation of the machine. p

Fig. 3 is an. enlarged detail view in cross section of the pointer, and oscillating rod, taken 011 line 3, 3 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. is an enlarged detail view in section, taken on line a, 4 of'Fig. 1,'showing the actuating mechanism of the indicating device.

Referring in a more general way to the paper cutting machine which may be sald to be typical of machines of this charac-;

power. Immediately above the main feed roll 2 is a smaller guide roll 6 mounted in vertical journalhangers 7, 7 carried on top of the frame members 1, 1. Below the main feed roll 2 and somewhat forwardly thereof is the rotary cutter 8 comprising a shaft 9 journalled in bearings 10, 10 preferably adjustable vertically upon the machine frame, by means of hand wheels 11, 11 and connecting screw shafts 12, 12. Mounted at the ends of the cutter shaft 9 are disks 13, 13 to which are fixed the ends of the cutting blade 1a, which is also secured to the shaft intermediate its ends, by means of collars 15, mounted on the shaft 9 and fixed to said blade. One end of the cutter shaft 9 extends beyond one of the (right hand) frame members 1 and has mounted thereon a gear wheel 16 forming one element of the cutter driving mechanism, which includes also a well known type of speed regulating mechanism, namely, cone pulleys and shiftable belt connecting the two pulleys, one of said pulleys 17 being shown (Fig. 1.) The cone pulley 17 is mounted upon a shaft 18, which carries a pinion 19 meshing with the gear wheel 16 of the cutter. This type of speed regulation being a common one, it does not require disclosure in detail, and it is thought sufficient to point out that the speed-of the pulley is regulated by shifting the belt connecting it with another like pulley driven at a constant speed. The shifting of the belt, and hence the speed of the pulley 17, as well as that of the cutter, is controlled by the operator by means of a hand wheel 20, located within easy reach of the operator standing in front of the machine, and in a position to observe the performance of the machine and the results of the adjustments made in the speed regulating mechanism.

On the opposite (left) side of the machine is provided a train of intermeshing gear wheels 21 connecting the cutter shaft 9 with a large vertical hand wheel 22, said gear wheels being mounted on stub shafts mounted on the side of the frame member 1 and on the shafts 9, and a shaft 23, carrying the hand Wheel 22, the latter being equipped witha pawl and ratchet mechanism 24L- for convenience in manipulation. The hand wheel is used for adjusting the machine to the different lengths indicated that the sheet is to be cut.

The paper is preferably fed to the cutting machine in the form of continuous webs '25 of desired width, these webs, shown as three in number, passing over the main feed roll 2 and vertically downward into the path of the rotary cutter 8 which is ro tated 'in thevsame direction as the paper travels, thatis, in a counter-clockwise direction. In the paper are formed water-marks 26 or other visible marks of identification, preferably located intermediate the side 'margins thereof and reoccur at predetermined intervals throughout the web, these intervals being ordinarily gauged by the size of the sheets into which the paper is to be ultimately cut. For example,fif a web is to be made up into sheets havingdi; mensions of 11 inches in length and 8-3 inches in width, the width of the web would be 17 inches and the water-marks would be arranged in pairs each spaced 4-3,; inches from the side margins of the web, and each pair spaced apart 11 inches longitudinally of the web. Thus the web in passing through the cutting machine would first be cut into sheets of 17 inches by 22 inches in size, which in turn could be cut into four sheets with a water-mark centrally located in each sheet. 7

As hereinbefore suggested, it is desirable that the water-mark be uniformly positioned in the sheets, and in the absence of indicating means whereby the operator may regulate the performance of the machine, it is difficult to compensate for the creeping action of the webs heretofore referred to.

Such an indicating means is herein dis closed as comprising parts as follows: Extending immediately in front of and par allel to the main feed roll is an oscillating rod or shaft 27, journalled in bearings 28, 28 mounted upon the side framemembers 1, 1. 'Slidably mounted on the rock shaft is a collar 29 adapted to be slidably adjustable along the shaft and to be fixed inany position by means of a set screw 29. A pointer or finger 30 is mounted in the collar the same extending transversely to the shaft, and in a general downward direction, and preferably having the form of a flexible pointed blade. The rod is adjust able endwise within a slot formed in the collar 29, and is held in adjusted position by means of a thumb screw 30".

Pivotally secured above the rotary cutter and in vertical alinement with one of the discs 13 at the end (left) of said cutter, is a lever 31 depending ertically from a supporting arm 32 integral with the adjacent oscillating rod bearing 28, and having a forked end in which the upper end of the lever is swung. The lower end of the lever terminates adjacent to the periphery of the cutter disc 13, and in the path of a lu 33 secured to the disc at a predetermined.

position with relation to the cutter bar 1%, iereinafter to be disclosed. Connected with the lever 31 at a point substantially midway between its ends is a flexible cord 34 (Fig. a) which passes over the upper surface of the rod and is fastened to the opposite or rear side thereof at 35. Fastened at the same point 35 and passing beneath the rod 27 is a comparatively long cord 36 extending in a forward and downwardly direction and secured at its free end to an extensible rod 37 secured at its outer end to a horizontal frame member 38 of the vmachine, said extensible rod being provided intermediate its ends with a turn-buckle 37 for regulatingthe tension in the parts of the actuating mechanism. c

The longer cord is preferably of a fibrous substance such as hemp, or other material which when woven in cord-like form hasa certain amount of residual elasticity, that is to say, when tension is applied to the cord, and then suddenly released, there issuiiicient elasticity to effect a sudden and sharp reaction. This property is well known to exist in all fibrous cords and rope, it not in all flexible cables, although they are not ordinarily considered'as being elastic. Connected with the lever 31 is a coil spring tO or other elongated elastic member. extendin substantiall )arallel e I) l with the cord 36, and also connected at its free end with the end of the extensible rod 37. The parts of the indicating mechanism are preferably associated so that the lever 31 depends vertically when out of contact with the lug, and in such position of the lever the cords 34 and 36 are taut (though not stretched to any degree) and the spring is contracted. Furthermore, the

' (-ollaris so positioned on the shaft and the pointer 30 stands vertically and away from the surface of the web 25,

In describing the operation of the web, it

will be assumed thatthe webs 25 are passed etween the feed rolls,v and the cutter and feed mechanismaccurately adjusted so that the water-marks of each web are positioned minwaybetween the imaginary transverse lines along which thewebs will. be cut; Having thus positioned the webs, the pointer is then adjusted transversely so as to register with animaginary line defining certain points, as for-instance, the centers of the water-marks of one of the webs. There- 'l ore it is necessary to adjustthe indicating device so that it will be actuated at theinstunt the cutting operation occurs, that is, the

indicating or pointing synchronized with the. cutting so that the pointer is moved quickly toward and from the surface of the web as each cut is made. lllani'testly, it the 'pointer coincides with the centers of each water-mark, the proper location of said water-marks is secured. On the other hand, it the pointer points ahead or behind the water-marks, it is an indication that the water-marks are not properly located on the cut sheets, and adjustment of the speed yet the cutter is required; It is obvious that, having adJuSted one web, the remaining webs wouldbe adjusted to correspond.

Now, it the machineis started, it is reasonable to assume that the first cuts will be along the predetermined line,=but it is not assumed that the cutting .will conso, for the reasonsherembetore set hflanit'estly, an lnltial setting is to be tinue tact between the lug33 and the lower end of the lever 31, the former havingpreferably a gradually tapering cam surface terminating inan abrupt shoulder 33*, indicating the polnt where contact is broken between the lug and the lever, it being observed that said shoulder is in alinement with the cutter blade. Now, assuming the cutter is rotating in a counter-clockwise direction, it is manifest that as the lug comes into contact with the end of the lever the latter is forced inwardly as it rides upon the surface of the lug, this displacement of the arm being ac.- companied by a slackening of the cord 34: connectingthe lever to the shaft and an expansion ot' the spring 40. The longer cord 36 is preferably so'adjusted that it remains j taut during this period of actuation of the indicating mechanism. Thus the oscillating rod undergoes no movement inasmuch as there is no tension on either cord. How ever. at the 'instantthe lever is released by the lug, the spring contracts, throwing the lever forward with a sudden movement which is transmitted to the rod, through the now tightened'connecting cord 34, thereby effecting anequally suddenfoscillating ot the rod and of the pointer toward the web surface and to the predetermined point of the water-mark. V in the direction to actuate the pointer toward the web is opposed by the lower cord 36 inasmuch as theoscillation of the .rod in a clockwise direction tends to stretch or lengthen the same. Thus when .the shaft has been rotatcdto the indicating position otthe pointer, the cord 36' will have reached the limit of its so-called residual elasticity, and the reaction will be instantaneousdcaua ing the rod to he suddenly rotated in the oppositev direction or sharply thrown out-- wardly from the surface of the web to its original position. v

Inasmuch as the web 1s fed through the machine at a high velocity and the cutter is rotated at a correspondingly high. ve-' at once apparent that the move be borne in mind that the water-marks pass with great speed before the eyes of the operator. and hence the indicating action must be sharply defined in order that the pointer The rocking of the shaft may effectively indicate the position of the water-mark withreference to the sheets. It istor this reason that non-elast1c"cords (as distin uished from inherentl Y elastic s arin 's. .E: i. b

or the like) are utilized for providing the forces for actually moving the pointer, it being obvious that reaction of elastic members is not sufficiently rapid to afford the sharp movement that is necessary.

By and the novel employment of the properties thereof, a means has been devised which will enable the cutting of the paper to be accomplished with due regard for the location of the water-marks on the separate sheets, and more especially a device which affords the operator of the machine a con-- stant indication as to whether or not the water-marks are creeping ahead or behind their proper position in the sheets, thus enabling him in making the necessary ad ustments in the speed of the cutter to overcome any discrepancy in the cutting operation.

the combination of means for feeding a web of paper forwardly at high velocity, a cutter adapted successively to cutlengths from said web forming sheets, an indicator operatively connected with the cutter and adapted successively to sharply indicate a fixed easily visible point in the plane of the web at a predetermined point in the cutter cycle, and means for regulating the speed of operation of the cutter whereby by maintaining an'approximately fixed relationship between a visible recurring mark in the traveling web and the point successively sharply indicated by the indicator the mark may be properly located in the cut sheets.

2.. In an apparatus of the class described, the/combination of a cutter adapted to cut successive lengths from a traveling web of paper, means for varying the rapidity of the cutting strokes, a movable indicator adapted to point to the web at a predetermined point in the operation'of the cutter,

'whereby the rapidity of cutter strokes may be adjusted to maintain an approximately fixed relation between the indicator when pointing, and a successively appearing visible mark in the web so as to prevent a water-mark or the like from creeping out of proper position in the cut sheets.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, thecombination of means for feeding a web of paper forwardly'at high velocity, a cutter adapted successively to cut lengths from said web, thereby formingjsheets of paper,

an indicator operatively connected with the the particular arrangement of parts cutter and adapted to direct attention by a sudden recurring movement to a predetermined point in the plane of the web, said movement occurring in predetermined time relationship with the cutting of the-Web, and means for varying the relative speeds of the web feeding means and cutter, Whereby by maintaining such speed relationship so as to cause a recurring visible mark in the web to be positioned in predetermined relationship withthe point to which attention is directed by the indicator by the sudden movements of the latter whereby said visible mark may be properly positioned in the cut sheets.

4. In an apparatus of the class the combination of means for feeding a web described,

of paper forwardly, means for cutting said paper as it is fed forwardly, into sheets, a pointer positioned adjacent said traveling web and operatively connected with the cutter and adapted by a distinct pointing movement successively to indicate a predetermined spot on the urface of the web, in predetermined time relationship with the .successive cutting operations of the cutter,

and means for changing the length of the sheets whereby said last named means may be operated to maintain an approximately fixed relationshipbetween said spot in the web indicated by the pointer and a recurring visible markin the paper.

In an apparatu of the class described, the combination of means for feeding a web of paper forwardly, means for cutting said:

length of the sheets whereby said last named means may be operated to maintain an'approximately fixed relationship between the spot in the plane of the web indicated by the pointer and a recurring visible mark in the paper, and means whereby said predetermined spot in the surface along which the web travels may be located as desired.

6. In a'paper cutting machine, the combination of mean for feeding a web of paper forwardly, a rotary cutter located at the delivery end of the machine and adapted to cut the web into'sheets as deliveredby the machine, a pointer mounted above the traveling web, and connections from the rotary cutter for sharply oscillating said pointer to effect the momentary indication of a prede termined point in the'plane of the web, at a predetermined point in the cutter cycle.

7. In a paper cutting machine, the combination of means for feeding a web of paper forwardly, a rotary cutterlocated at the delivery end of the machine and adapted to cut the web into sheets as delivered by the machine, an oscillatory rod mounted adjacent said web, a pointer carried by said rod and connections from the rotary cutter to said rod to oscillate the same and cause a pointing movement of the pointer in definite time relationship with the cutting operations of the cutter.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of means for feeding a web of paper forwardly, a cutter adapted to cut the same into sheets during the travel of the web, a pointer poised above the web, means for causing said pointer to make a sudden pointing movement and recovery, all so constructed and arranged that the pointing movement bears a predetermined time relationship with the successive cutting op erations of the cutter.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of means for feeding a web of paper forwardly, a cutter adapted to cut the same into sheets during the travel of the web, an oscillatory member mounted above the web, a pointer mounted thereon, means for causinga sudden oscillation of said member to cause the pointer to make a sudden pointing movement, said means being so .operatively connected with the cut ter so as to maintain a definite time relationship between the pointing movement and the cutting action. a

10. An, apparatus of the class described,

and in combination, means for feeding a web of paper forwardly, a cutter adapted to cut the same into sheets during the travel of the web, an oscillatory support arranged transversely of the web, a pointer mountedof the web, a pointer poised above the web,

andoperative connections from the cutter to the pointer, whereby the pointer is controlled by the'cutteriindependently of the web.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 2nd day of August, A. D.,

FRANK o. scorr. 

